Oklahoma commission again calls for lawmaker ‘cooling off’

The Associated Press and The Oklahoman - September 16, 2018 9:27 am

(Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has again adopted a rule to prohibit elected officials and state agency heads from becoming state lobbyists until they’re out of office for at least two years.
The Oklahoman reports that the commission voted 5-0 Friday for the same rule it adopted in February, which was rejected by both the state House and Senate.
Gov. Mary Fallin said the commission overstepped its authority with the previous rule.
The rules will go into effect at the end of the 2019 regular legislative session, unless legislators again vote to reject them.
Supporters of the so-called “cooling-off periods” say it helps assure an elected official or agency head makes decisions in the public interest and not to benefit a potential future employer.